Anger after Holt footpath idea is dropped

11:54 11 March 2014

Philip High.

Copyright Nicholas Manthorpe 2011

A footpath proposal which would have forced homeowners to give up some of their gardens and driveways has been dropped.

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Holt Town Council members were told last night by district councillor Philip High the Norfolk County Council plan for a path from Pearson’s Road to Ainsworth Court sheltered housing, off Grove Lane, would not go ahead after concerns from residents.

Town councillors were angry the idea for the 1.2 metre path was rejected by the county council and agreed to write to the authority expressing their views.

Mr High said the idea was dropped following a last minute meeting with county council officers, Holt district and county councillor Mike Baker and town councillor Colin Hipperson on February 27.

The application was first put in over two years ago by former district and county councillor for Holt, John Perry-Warnes.

A £75,000 compulsory purchase order would have been required to buy sections of 12 Grove Lane gardens for the path, which would have cost an additional £65,000 to build. Other road proposals will be investigated.

Town councillor Maggie Prior said the bigger picture of safety needed to be looked at and there was a risk of an accident happening along that particular road, used by the elderly and parents with children.